Her Flaws, His Bliss

The Countdown

Patrick

Wait! Was this the rude girl I saw earlier? She looked even better in her uniform. I’ve been here a thousand times, but this was the first time I’d noticed anyone at the bar. I wouldn’t sit in the open and Marco always served me himself.

Today was different. Gomez died…right in my presence at my father’s hands. He was one of his oldest henchmen and my favorite.

Why is she fidgeting though? Was she scared? I did scare the hell out of her the other time though.

“I’m…I’m so sorry.”

What the f*****g hell! Don’t touch me. I really didn’t care about the watch.

“I’m...I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to..” she pleaded, trying to free her wrist from mine. I released it. I didn’t realize I was holding onto her that hard.

“I can’t, Marco. This thing’s worth more than I’ll ever make in a year.” the way she pleaded, I wanted to free her from Marco’s torment. Then I realized I needed a wife. She’s a perfect match. She was rude earlier. I wouldn’t be hurting her with a contract I bet.

“How about you pay, not in cash…but in kind?”

“What?”

She was not the only one surprised. Marco was as well. He knew me better than anyone.

“I’m sorry I can’t do that.” She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I wasn’t asking. Hardly will I see a woman who’d willingly be my wife for a year. At least just to convince my father. He must have handed over the company by that time.

“You have to. I need you to be my wife for a year. See it as a means to pay your debt.” I said, returning to my seat.

“No,” she said quietly, though the word felt small in her mouth.

I didn’t expect that it was going to be that easy, but I thought fear wouldn’t make her disagree.

“Then pay me.” I checked my watch. It’s still working though. I have to make her agree, even if it means putting her under duress.

“You have until 9 am to pay me.” I dropped my business card on the table.

“If not?”

What? She’s quite daring…too daring for the girl I saw earlier.

“I’ll make you pay with your life,” I said with a slight smirk, rising from the seat. “I told you earlier, but you can wait to see what I’m capable of doing.” I whispered in her eyes.

She looked at Marco like he was her savior.

“You don’t have a job here anymore, April. That was your last strike.”

Marco was always nice with women...the ones he’s had his way with. I could sense that was not the case with her. For no actual reason, I was glad he hadn’t touched her.

I felt the tension radiating from her, but that didn’t stop me. I walked out of the casino without looking back, knowing full well that she had no real choice. She'd come to me. They always did.

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April

Fuck! I’m in serious debt, I’ve lost my job, now I might lose my life. Whatever I have to do, I have until 9 am to decide. If I had the opportunity, I’d have skipped living today.

I checked the business card he left me. He’s the manager of H&H Wines? The biggest wine company in the country. I knew he looked familiar. I’ve seen him on TV at least twice. I probably didn’t recognize him because he wasn’t in a suit.

“April,”

“s**t! Sophia. You startled me. Why are you still awake?”

Everywhere was quiet when I sneaked in earlier. It was late into the night, and I wasn’t expected to be home, so I decided to clear my thoughts in the kitchen so as not to wake them up. I guess I was wrong.

“I came to get warm water for mom. She’s been coughing all night. Why are you home though? Did something happen at work?”

Mom’s sickness had really worsened. If I don’t get her drugs, then she might die as the doctor predicted. But now I don’t even have a job anymore and dare not say it.

“Errm…I..I swapped my shift. I’ll get the water, you can go back to bed.”

I didn’t even know it was morning until Sophia pulled the curtains away to illuminate the room. I must have drifted off while watching mom.

“You can go to sleep in your room if you aren’t going to work. I can watch mom too.”

“No. You should prepare for school, or you’ll be late.”

Her expression made me realize I was wrong. I checked the time, and it was almost 8:30 am. Wait, she should be in school already. Before I could ask, she knew the answers I needed.

“I can go to school if I don’t pay my tuition fees. The principal made it clear yesterday.”

What? l looked at the two women I love most in the entire world and decided that not even the world's biggest obnoxious prick could stop me from making them happy. I checked the time again. I have about 30 minutes left before the deal is off.

“I'll be right back.” I ran out.

By the time I got to the company, he was about to leave. I met him at the doorway. In suit by the way.

“Is the contract still available?” I asked, panting for air because I ran all the way there.

He checked his watch in a way that screamed arrogance. He had another watch on already. He must be really rich.

“You have three minutes until the deal is over,” Patrick said with a smirk.

“Great. I’ll do it. But I have a condition.”

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